Moss Landing, California, where our Earthwatch team is stationed, is one of seven cities in Monterey County. Here, there are trails to hike, water channels to canoe and kayak, and seemingly endless boardwalks, where one can safely walk out onto protected wetland waterways and view breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and seascapes. It is a magical place that I know you would all enjoy.

On our collective day off from studying southern otters and bottlenose dolphins, our team traveled to three of the other six cities in Monterey County: Monterey; Pacific Grove; and Carmel-by-the-Sea. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we learned even more about southern otters, as well as other Pacific marine mammals.

In Pacific Grove, a town known for its dense population of monarch butterflies, the views of the Pacific Ocean were clear and unobstructed. The great highlight was the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse in California.

Carmel-by-the-Sea was our teams sunset destination. Painters who find satisfaction in capturing the California coastline on canvas, and photographers who continually seek out the perfect shot, are often seen working and collaborating in this small town. There are also well-known writers who reside here and find success in publishing best-selling stories about west coast life and the rugged marine world that they have come to love.

Fun Otter Fact #8Sea Otters have pockets under their armpits to store extra food or a favorite tool when they travel or sleep. The tools are used to break open clams and crab legs.